Necrotizing Enterocolitis

What is necrotizing enterocolitis?

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal illness in babies.

"Necrotizing" means damage and death of cells.

"Entero" refers to the intestine.

"Colitis" means inflammation of the colon (lower part of the intestine).

It affects between 1 percent and 5 percent of babies in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit. NEC is more common in babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces).

What causes necrotizing enterocolitis?

It is not clear exactly what causes NEC. It is thought that the intestinal tissues are somehow weakened by too little oxygen or blood flow. When feedings are started and the food moves into the weakened area of the intestinal tract, bacteria from the food can damage the intestinal tissues. The tissues may be severely damaged and die, which can cause a hole to develop in the intestine. This can lead to severe infection in the abdomen.

Who is affected by necrotizing enterocolitis?

Premature babies have body systems that are more immature. As a result, they may have difficulty with blood and oxygen circulation, digestion, and fighting infection, thus, increasing their chances of developing NEC.

Babies, especially premature babies, who are taking milk by mouth or tube feedings are at an increased risk for developing NEC. NEC is much less common in babies who are fed human milk and is rare in babies who have not received feedings.

Babies who have had a difficult delivery or lowered oxygen levels are at an increased risk for developing NEC. When there is too little oxygen, the body sends the most blood and oxygen to essential organs and away from the intestinal tract. This can result in lowered oxygen in the gastrointestinal circulation.

Babies with too many red blood cells in the circulation are at an increased risk of developing NEC. This thickens the blood and makes oxygen transport more difficult.

Babies with gastrointestinal infections are at an increased risk of developing NEC.

Why is necrotizing enterocolitis a concern?

Damage to the intestinal tissues can lead to perforation (a hole) in the intestines. This allows the bacteria normally present in the intestinal tract to leak out into the abdomen and cause infection. The damage may only exist in a small area or it may progress to large areas of the intestine. The disease can progress very quickly. Infection in the intestines can be overwhelming to a baby and, even with treatment, there may be serious complications. Problems from NEC may include the following:

perforation (hole) in the intestine

scarring or strictures (narrowing) of the intestine

problems with food absorption if large amounts of intestine must be removed

severe, overwhelming infection

What are the symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis?

The following are the most common signs of necrotizing enterocolitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms usually develop in the first 2 weeks and may include the following:

The symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis may resemble other digestive conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is necrotizing enterocolitis diagnosed?

NEC is diagnosed by examining the baby for the signs listed above. An x-ray of the abdomen may show a bubbly appearance in the intestine and signs of air or gas in the large veins of the liver. Air may also be outside the intestines in the abdomen. A needle may be inserted into the abdominal cavity. Withdrawing intestinal fluid from the abdomen is often a sign of a hole in the intestines.

Treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis:

Specific treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis will be determined by your baby's physician based on the following:

your baby's gestational age, overall health, and medical history

extent of the disease

tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

expectations for the course of the disease

your opinion or preference

Treatment may include the following:

stopping feedings

nasogastric (NG) tube (nose into stomach) to keep stomach empty

intravenous fluids (IV) for nutrition and fluid replacement

antibiotics for infection

frequent x-rays to monitor the progress of the disease

extra oxygen or mechanically assisted breathing if the abdomen is so swollen that it interferes with breathing

isolation procedures (such as protective gowns and gloves) to keep any infection from spreading

Severe cases of NEC may require:

surgery to remove diseased intestine or bowel

connecting part of the intestine or bowel to an ostomy (opening on the abdomen)

Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis:

Because the exact causes of NEC are unclear, prevention is often difficult. Studies have found that babies who have had only breast milk (rather than formula) are less likely to develop NEC. Also, starting feedings after a baby is stable and slowly increasing feeding amounts have been recommended.